Natural Alternatives

**DOMS** · 12-12-2009, 10:35 AM

In the last six months I replaced several of my petroleum-based products for natural alternatives.

I've replaced my shaving cream and lotion with coconut oil. Since doing that, I've had less problems shaving (e.g. razor burn). It also has a great effect in slowing the wrinkling process. You only need a little to do the job. When using as a lotion, don't apply to much, it'll give your skin an oily sheen. When shaving, wet your skin first, then apply liberally and let it sit for a minute, then proceed to shave. Even after shaving, your skin will feel soft for most of the day. At ~$11 per 20 oz., it's also less expensive than the name-brand shaving creams and lotions.

In lieu of shampoo & conditioner and a face wash, I use apple cider vinegar. I use 2 tbsp. per 16 oz. of water for shampooing and a 50/50 split for facewash. Commercial shampoos strip the natural oils from your hair, which is why you use conditioner. It replaces the lost natural oils with petroleum-based oils. Using apple cider vinegar negates the need for a conditioner as your natural oils aren't stripped out. The natural oils give your hair more body, which is very noticeable for those with fine hair. As a face wash, only use it at night before you go to bed or after getting particularly dirty. At ~$3.00 per gallon, it also less expensive than commercial shampoos.

A note about coconut oil and skin: someone mentioned that it will cause problems of those pimply skin. I don't suffer from this problem, but it does make sense. Just keep an eye on your skin and see how it reacts.

A note about using apple cider vinegar: because commercial shampoos strip out your natural oils, your body overproduces oils to compensate. That means that for the first week or two, your hair may be oily. It takes that long for your body to adjust to the fact that it's not having it's natural oil stripped away. After that period, your hair should no longer be oily and have more body. Also, if you get it in your eyes, it'll sting like shampoo, but the stinging goes away in about 20 seconds with no long-term affects.

By doing these few things, I avoid a list of chemical products as long as my arm. Quite a few of those commercial products are skin permeable. That means they'll penetrate your skin and end up in your bloodstream. I can't imagine that could be a good thing.

In any case, I'm sharing this with you because it's worked out well for me and, considering the type of forum this is, I thought you be interested in something that help to make you healthy.

If you're only interested in trying one, I suggest shaving with coconut oil. You'll never go back to commercial products.

On a side note, I suggested shaving with coconut oil to a person that suffered from eczema on her hands. After a week or so, she told me that the symptoms of eczema were gone. Just FYI.

**nkira** · 12-12-2009, 11:04 AM

I was going to ask you about the coconut oil usage...but you threw up this thread just in time...

**juggernaut** · 12-12-2009, 12:27 PM

good thing I have alopecia and am as bald as fuck.

**Built** · 12-12-2009, 12:43 PM

I switched to coconut oil as a cleanser about two years ago and I'll never use anything else. No need for moisturizer, my skin is clear and soft and I get the closest shave EVER when I use it.

Hubby's acne cleared up when he switched from soap by the way.

**juggernaut** · 12-12-2009, 12:46 PM

oil as a soap? is that possible?

**Built** · 12-12-2009, 12:53 PM

It works perfectly. I get coconut oil from a local Persian grocer. It melts from the heat when I'm in the shower or the bath and I just apply it with those cheapie scrubbie mitts. It's awesome.

**juggernaut** · 12-12-2009, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by Built

It works perfectly. I get coconut oil from a local Persian grocer. It melts from the heat when I'm in the shower or the bath and I just apply it with those cheapie scrubbie mitts. It's awesome.

I just dont get how an oil and clean you. I use Ivory because it is scent free and doesnt smell. However, I do notice it dries me out. I gotta try this.

**Built** · 12-12-2009, 01:14 PM

No smell, just nice and smooth. You'll love it.

**DOMS** · 12-12-2009, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by Built

It works perfectly. I get coconut oil from a local Persian grocer. It melts from the heat when I'm in the shower or the bath and I just apply it with those cheapie scrubbie mitts. It's awesome.

Yep. It stays solid under 75 degrees or so. Over that, it melts.

That's usually not a problem, but I've have found that if you keep melting it and it gets low, it'll segment out and the stuff at the bottom doesn't work at all. The easy fix is to mix it up as it re-solidifies.

Originally Posted by Built

No smell, just nice and smooth. You'll love it.

I'll second this. There's nothing like it.

**DOMS** · 12-12-2009, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by nkira

I was going to ask you about the coconut oil usage...but you threw up this thread just in time...

Glad to help.

**Built** · 12-12-2009, 01:27 PM

You must use a different brand of coconut oil - I don't use extra virgin or anything like that, just ordinary coconut cooking oil.

I love how my skin feels after a shower and a good scrub with the gloves and the oil.

**DOMS** · 12-12-2009, 01:40 PM

I'll add another: Nox gelatin. I use this instead of petroleum-based gels.

I put 3/4 tsp of Nox gelatin mix into 1 cup of warm water. I then nuke it for one minute and twenty seconds (just until it boils).

Then you put it into a sealable container and place it in the fridge. It is a food item and will go bad if you leave it out. When it goes bad it smell rank! Not only that, but it'll turn back into a liquid if you leave it out.

An added benefit is that Knox gelatin doesn't wash out in cold water like petroleum-based gels. That means if you go out into the rain, it won't wash out. You'll need warm water to get it out. So you can also wet your hair with lukewarm water and restyle it.

Once again, it's less expensive. You can get four packets in a box for $1. Each packet makes about 2 cups. So for $1 you'll get 8 cups of gel. The average gel container at the store has 1 and a half cups for ~$5. You can get ~$28 of store bought gel for $1 using Knox.

The list of chemicals that I'm avoiding is that much longer, too.

**DOMS** · 12-12-2009, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Built

You must use a different brand of coconut oil - I don't use extra virgin or anything like that, just ordinary coconut cooking oil.

I love how my skin feels after a shower and a good scrub with the gloves and the oil.

Yep, I use virgin coconut oil.

And again, yep, my skin feels so very soft.

**Built** · 12-12-2009, 03:32 PM

Get away from the virgin stuff - it's too expensive and not necessary for this application. Keep EVCO for cooking and eating.

**min0 lee** · 12-12-2009, 07:40 PM

Cool tips, I know vinegar can replace a lot of other items.
This thread would be good for others to add their natural tips.

Would you recommend this for a heavy sweater?
Don't want to mention names but someone close to me sweats like a pig.

**Built** · 12-12-2009, 11:15 PM

Would I recommend what - cleaning the skin with coconut oil? It won't make him sweat less. Or more.

It's just easy on the skin.

**suprfast** · 12-13-2009, 03:38 AM

Originally Posted by Built

Get away from the virgin stuff - it's too expensive and not necessary for this application. Keep EVCO for cooking and eating.

Nice one rachel ray

BTW, tell me more of this lathering yourself with oil.

I like this thread.
I personally use this for "deodorant"
http://secure.tccd.com/shoponline/De...lSprayMist.asp
I dont care if i sweat, im a guy i do that. I dont really smell either, but i use this to control if i do. Im a very much an all natural kind of guy. Lets see what else i use, ill post back.

kris

**DOMS** · 12-13-2009, 06:40 AM

Originally Posted by min0 lee

Cool tips, I know vinegar can replace a lot of other items.

Glad to help, min0! There are a lot of things that ACV can do for you.

Originally Posted by min0 lee

This thread would be good for others to add their natural tips.

That was my hope. I'm still learning about natural alternatives, so I'm hoping that someone else will give some ideas here.

Originally Posted by min0 lee

Would you recommend this for a heavy sweater?
Don't want to mention names but someone close to me sweats like a pig.

I haven't tried it yet, but his recipe for an all-natural deodorant is what I'm going to try next.

**DOMS** · 12-13-2009, 06:49 AM

Another example of what apple cider vinegar (ACV) can do for you.

After moving to a new state, I developed redness and dry flaky skin under my nose. I read up on it and tried all of the medical recommendations. I tried topical steroids, antibiotics, and simple rubbing alcohol. None of that worked.

After doing some more reading, I found a suggestion to use 50/50 ACV and water. The logic given whs that a lot of skin problems are caused by skin when it has too much acid or base. The article said that ACV allows your skin to return to the proper level of acidity. Which sounds strange because ACV is a mild acid (5% before delusion).

Anyway, I gave it a try. After a few days the symptoms lessened. After a week and a half they were completely gone. So now I use it as a daily face wash and my skin has been looking so much better. I use ACV once at night before I go to bed. Then I use coconut oil the next day after I get out of the shower. Both of those combined have done wonders.

Out of curiosity, I'm trying to find someone that has acne and have them try it for a couple of weeks to see if it helps. If any of you have acne and are willing to give it a try, please let me know how it works out for you.

**Doublebase** · 12-13-2009, 01:59 PM

I dump a cup of vinegar in my dishwasher to help break up the buildup from the minerals in our water. Supposed to extend the life of the unit. Shall see.

**DOMS** · 12-13-2009, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by Doublebase

I dump a cup of vinegar in my dishwasher to help break up the buildup from the minerals in our water. Supposed to extend the life of the unit. Shall see.

No joke. If you really do it, please let us know how it works for you.

**juggernaut** · 12-13-2009, 08:29 PM

vinegar is a truly smart thing for several household chores, from cleaning windows and mirrors (with newspapers), curing toenail fungus and the dishwasher thing.

**nkira** · 12-14-2009, 01:01 AM

I tried it for shaving today & it works GREAT!! No irritation, no dryness, nothing bad at all!

Washed face with lukewarm water & then massaged face with oil & used MACH 3 razor.

Took shower later, shower washed it off leaving behind just the right oiliness for soft n supple feeling skin.

This MACH 3 normally gives me razor burns & red fiery bumps but with oil NOTHING! Super smooth n close shave, impressive results.

I have very supple facial skin but beard is very tough & coarse.

One more thing, I just have to wait 3-4 days between each saves cos otherwise its torture....today I shaved after 2nd day with no discomfort at all!

I used this oil But as built said just use the normal variety.

Thank you very much DOMS for sharing this idea.

@Juggernaut, Give it a try, you'll love it, not joking.

**juggernaut** · 12-14-2009, 04:58 AM

Funny story; I haven't shaved since 1998. Wish I could market what I have, alopecia. Great for shaving and man grooming.

**Built** · 12-14-2009, 08:41 AM

nkira, isn't the oil amazing for shaving? I keep a plastic applicator bottle (like for hair dye, with a narrow tip) of coconut oil in the shower and just warm it up while I get my shower started. Once it's melted, I pour a little onto the scrubber mits and with the water and the oil on me, shave. No irritation, just a super smooth shave and nice soft skin.

**DOMS** · 12-14-2009, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by nkira

I tried it for shaving today & it works GREAT!! No irritation, no dryness, nothing bad at all!

Washed face with lukewarm water & then massaged face with oil & used MACH 3 razor.

Took shower later, shower washed it off leaving behind just the right oiliness for soft n supple feeling skin.

This MACH 3 normally gives me razor burns & red fiery bumps but with oil NOTHING! Super smooth n close shave, impressive results.

I have very supple facial skin but beard is very tough & coarse.

One more thing, I just have to wait 3-4 days between each saves cos otherwise its torture....today I shaved after 2nd day with no discomfort at all!

I used this oil But as built said just use the normal variety.

Thank you very much DOMS for sharing this idea.

@Juggernaut, Give it a try, you'll love it, not joking.

It's my pleasure. I'm glad to hear that you liked it.

Not only are you getting a better shave, you're also living healthier.

I'm also willing to bet that your skin feels smooth for most of the day.

**DOMS** · 12-14-2009, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by juggernaut

Funny story; I haven't shaved since 1998. Wish I could market what I have, alopecia. Great for shaving and man grooming.

This is going to sound strange but...you lucky bastard.

I have hair on my arm, legs, chest, and a little on my back. I get my back waxed (or shaved) and I trim my chest hairs. My body hair isn't Arab thick, but I still don't like it. What I wouldn't give to not have body hair; even if it meant I was bald.

Maybe it's a "grass is greener" sort of thing...

**DOMS** · 12-14-2009, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by Built

nkira, isn't the oil amazing for shaving? I keep a plastic applicator bottle (like for hair dye, with a narrow tip) of coconut oil in the shower and just warm it up while I get my shower started. Once it's melted, I pour a little onto the scrubber mits and with the water and the oil on me, shave. No irritation, just a super smooth shave and nice soft skin.

I'm trying to move away from plastic, so I use a glass jar.

Why do you use scrubbing mitts?

**tucker01** · 12-14-2009, 09:57 AM

Do you use an aftershave?

**DOMS** · 12-14-2009, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by IainDaniel

Do you use an aftershave?

Sometimes I use 50/50 ACV. Only on the rare occasions that I nick myself (using a dull razor). I only recommend it if you have a good tolerance for pain, though.

However, with coconut oil, you don't need an aftershave. The oil remains to protect and soothe your skin.

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